UST Drama Professor Wows Festival With ‘Curve’5/17/2012“Curve,” a play written by Sam Havens, is one of six finalists, out of nearly 200 plays, selected for Dayton Playhouse's FutureFest this July in Dayton, Ohio.

Approaching his 43rd year at the University of St. Thomas, Havens, a professor emeritus of the Fine Arts and Drama Department, calls this comedy a “witty, provocative play about truth and illusion.”

“I wrote the play about two and a half years ago,” Havens said. “It was challenging to find the right balance of drama and comedy because at times the play seems a bit frightening, but at other times, it's quite funny. While writing, I wasn't sure if I had a comedy or a drama/comedy. It turns out that ‘Curve’ is mostly a comedy with a few serious moments."

Each playwright receives air travel, housing and a cash award. The festival is held over a three-day weekend of productions and honors. Three of the plays will receive staged readings and three will get full productions. “Curve” will be fully staged. Havens looks forward to the collaboration that comes along with being selected for FutureFest.

“I look forward to the chance to see the play on its feet, receive feedback and meet professional theatre people and adjudicators,” Havens said.

Claire McDonald, chair of Fine Arts and Drama Department and friend of Haven’s, saw the show directed by her colleague Justin Doran.

“I saw a staged reading of the play at Stages a while back when it was part of Wordsmyth Theatre’s new play reading series,” McDonald said. “Sam Havens’ play ‘Curve’ is fresh and exciting. What is truth and what is illusion are frequent questions during this romp of a ‘noir’ comedy. Unexpected curves keep you on the edge of your seat.”

Havens has completed 21 plays and one novel and is working on a new play idea. Next semester at UST, he will teach screenwriting in the fall and playwriting in the spring.

Students from the University of St. Thomas Carol and Odis Peavy School of Nursing parti...

University of St. Thomas
The University of St. Thomas, dedicated to educating leaders of faith and character, is a private institution committed to the liberal arts and to the religious, ethical and intellectual tradition of Catholic higher education. St. Thomas is Houston’s only Catholic University and was founded by the Basilian Fathers in 1947.